Portable picnic stove



Nix 12, 1940.

J. LANGSAM PORTABLE PICNIC STOVE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR J05 epk L anyxam ATTORNEY Nov. 12, 1940. J. LANGSAM PORTABLE PICNIC S TOVE Filed Dec 10, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INIVENTORJ [asap/1 Laflysam @MMWW ATTORNEY Ex S Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POBTABIE PICNIC STOVE Joseph Imam, Flushing, N. '37.

Application December 10, 1938, Serial No. 244.96!

to obviate this danger, to provide means for quick kindling and burning of the fuel, and topermit, simultaneously, two or more processes of cool:- ing, and also to keep hot, food already cooked.

A further purpose of my invention is to conserve the necessary heat for cooking, and thus provide an economical use of fuel, the waste of the latter being an inherent defect of picnic stoves now in general use.

Another feature of my invention is that the picnic stove herein described can be safely carried from one place to anchor while the fuel is still burning without disturbing the process of cooking, and without the risk of dropping es The manner in which I have eflected these im provements will be understood irom the description that follows, and from an inspection of the drawings, of which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the outside or the ensemble.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section as indicated by the pitch lines and arrows 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view, with a portion of the cover removed.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section as indicated by the pitch lines and arrows 44 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective of the several parts. 7

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 2, except that there is a substitution of units.

Fig. '7 is a perspective of a variation of the top unit shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings: 7

My invention consists essentially of a metallic box or casing. I0, preferably oi sheet-iron construction, closed at the bottom, ll,and open at the top. While this box or casing, is square or rectangular in cross-section, it is to be understood that it may be made cylindrical in crosssection, or have any suitable conformation.

- Situated near the lower end of said box, It, around the periphery thereof, are the openings l2, spaced at suitable intervals. These openings I! are preferably made by pressing in a portion of the lateral surface of the box HI, thus forming the lugs 18, as shown in the cut-away Fig. 5.

Attached to the bottom H of the box i9 is the heat-resisting plate M, made of any appropriate material, such as a mixture of asbestos and fireclay, held to the bottom H by means of the bolts l5. It is to be understood, however, that the said bolts It may be replaced by rivets, or by lugs formed from the surface of the box it. It is also to be understood that, while the plate 86 is portion of shown outside the box in, it may be placed within the said box I, or may be substituted for the bottom l I of the box ill.

At the upper edge of the box it, on two opposite sides are provided the rectangular openings it; while on the other two opposite sides are the openings ll. made preferably with circular contours at their lower extremities. and the holes It. The said openings l8 are of suflicient size to afford a means of escape of the hot gases.

Engaging the holes is are the handles is. 'It is to be understood that. while these handles it are shown hooked into the holes is, they may be fastened to the box it by means of hinges or any other suitable devices.

' s lidably fitting the box It is the metallic tray or container 20, the suriace of which is provided with apertures 2!, the upper portion of its handies 22 articulating with the openings i6 01 the box It, and supported on the lower edges of said openings Ii.

Slidably fitting the box It is the metallic tray or container 23 the surface oi which is shown made of heavy wire mesh 24, the lower edge of said surface beingsupported by the upper edge of the container 20, and the upper portion of its handles 25 articulating with the openings I 8 of the box Id. The tray 23 may axso be supported by means ofthe handles 25 resting in the openings lb of the box ll.

Slidably fitting the box I0 is the metallic tray 2|. the surfaceof which is shown made of heavy wire mesh 21, the said tray 28 being supported by the handles 28, which articulate with the openings ii of the box II, and rest upon the lower edges of said openings l8.

In Fig. 7 is shown a tray 28, similar to the tray 28, except that the handles of said tray 29 are provided with vertical extensions ll, permitting the tray 28 to be supported. by'the articulation of the handles 30 with the openings "of the box ill, at a lower level than in the case of the tray 28, as shown in Fig. 6.

. While the container 20 is shown with stampedout openings II, and while the container 2! and the trays 26 and 29 are shown made of wire mesh, it is to be understood that any one or all of the said containers or trays may be made in any suitable form; that is, their surfaces may be stamped out, reticulated, foraminated or made of sheet metal, with no openings.

snugly fitting the top of the. box i0 is the cover 32 whose upper surface extends beyond the flanged portion 83, and is provided with the handles 34.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

The container or grate 20, provided with suitable fuel, such as kindling and charcoal, is placed in position within the box l0, and the fuel ignited by passing a lighted taper thru one of the apertures I2. The container 23 is then lowered into position as shown in Figs. 2 and i, and may then be used for roasting potatoes, apples, etc., or for supporting pots for boiling foods, or used for both processes of cooking at the: same time. Attention is called to the fact that no portable oven is required with this stove, the casing ID, with its cover 32, comprising in itself an oven.

If desired, the container 23 may be replaced by the tray 29, which can then be used for supporting meats to be broiled.

Also, after meats have been initially broiled and it is desired to continue cooking them slowly while at the same time engaging in roasting and boiling other foods, the container 23, supporting the said foods is placed in position, and the broiled meats are placed on the tray 26, which is now placed in position. It will thus be seen that two or more processes of cooking can take place simultaneously. If, after the broiling process is fimshed, and it is desired to keep the broiled meats hot, the cover 32, in inverted position, is placed on the said meats, and the cover and the tray 26 are turned over, the tray 28 removed, and the cover 32 placed in normal position on top of casing I0.

when it is desired to roast marshmallows or pieces of meat on a spit or skewer, the said spit or skewer can be placed on the arcuate edges of the openings 11.

If it be desired to fry foodstufls, such as eggs or pancakes, a metal tray, similar to tray 26, but not perforated, can be utilized.

As a means of conserving fuel and at the same time keeping the cooked food hot, the cover 32 is placed in position, the waste gases having a ready means of escape thru the apertures It and I1. I

Furthermore, .when the food is cooked and ready to be served, it may be placed on top of the cover 32. To prevent potatoes, frankfurters, etc. from rolling off, the cover 32 can be placed in an inverted position, the flanged portion 33 acting as a barrier for this purpose.

Finally, if while the cooking process is continuing, it should be found necessary, because of a storm or any other reason, to place the stove under a shelter or in an automobile, the cover 32 is placed in position, and the ensemble lifted by means of the handles I9 and placed where desired, without spilling ignited fuel, or endangering any substance upon which the ensemble is placed. If it should be desired to clean out the bottom of the stove, all the trays and the cover can be lifted out simultaneously by means of the handles 2|, and 28. It should also be noted that the handles l9 serve a double purpose: first, to afford a means of lifting the entire ensemble; and secondly, while so used, to provide a means accrues of holding the cover 82 securely in position as shown in Fig. 1.

It is to be understood that the drawings herein are merely illustrative in character and that I reserve the right to make such departures therefrom as the exigencies of commercial practice may dictate, while remaining fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a portable picnic stove of the class described, the combination of a metallic box or casing, open at its upper end, and closed at its lower end, having lateral openings adjacent to its lower end and along its upper perimeter, ad- Justable handles for said box or casing, a removable metallic grate slldably fitting the interior of said box or casing, removable metallic trays of open construction slidably fitting the interior of said box or casing, baffle plates integral with and situated near the bottom of the lateral surfaces of said box or casing, and a metallic removable flanged cover for said box or casing,

2. In a portable picnic stove of the class described, the combination of a metallic box or casing open at its upper end and closed at its lower end having lateral openings adjacent to its lower end and along its upper perimeter, adjustable handles for said box or casing, battle plates integral with and situated near the bottom of the lateral surfaces of said box or casing, re movable metallic trays slidably fltting the interior of said box or casing, supports for said trays and a removable metallic flanged cover for said box or casing.

3. In a portable picnic stove of the class described, the combination of a metallic box or casing open at its upper end and closed at its lower end having openings adjacent to its lower end and along its upper perimeter, adjustable handles for said box or casing, baflle plates integral with and situated near the bottom of the lateral surfaces of said box or casing, re-- movable metallic trays slidably fitting the interior of said box or casing, supporting means for said trays, and a removable metallic flanged cover for said box or casing.

4. In a portable picnic stove of the class described, the combination of a metallic box or casing open at its upper end and closed at its lower end having openings adjacent to its lower end and along its upper perimeter, baiile plates integral with and situated near the bottom of the lateral surfaces of saidbox or casing, removable metallic trays slidably fitting the interior of said box or casing, supporting means for said trays, a removable metallic flanged cover for said box or casing, and adjustable means for holding said cover in position.

5. In a portable picnic stove of the class described, the combination of a metallic box or casing open at its upper end and closed at its lower end, having lateral openings adjacent to its lower end and along its upper perimeter, adjustable handles for said box or casing, bafiie plates integral with and situated near the bottom of the lateral surfaces of said box or casing, removable metallic trays slidably fitting the interior of said box or casing, handles integral with said trays bent at right angles to the axis of said box or casing, and a removable metallic cover casing, open at its upper end and closed at its scribed, the combination of a metallic box or' casing, open at its upper end and closed at its lower end, removable metallic trays slidably fitting the interior oi said box or casing, nesting handles attached to said trays. said handles be ing bent at approximately right angles to the axis of said box or casing, belle plates integral with and situated near the bottom 01 the 1mm surfaces of said box or casing, said baiile plates being adapted to baiile and spread out the incoming air to the underside oi said trays, a removable metallic cover for said box or casing, and means for holding said cover securely in position.

8. In a portable picnic stove of the class described. the combination of a metallic box or casing open at its upper end and closed at its lower end, removable metallic trays slidably fltting the interior of said box or casing, nesting handles attached to said trays. said handles being bent at approximately right angles to the axis of said box or casing, means adapted to heme and spread out the incoming air to the undersldes oi said trays, a removable metallic cover for,

said box or casing, and means for holding said cover securely in position. a

JOSEPH LANGSAM. 20 

